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Idukki (Kerala) | The probe into the suicide of a 56-year-old man, who allegedly took his own life after a cooperative bank refused to return his deposit in Kattappana here, has been transferred to the Crime Branch, officials said on Saturday.

The Home Department recently decided to hand over the investigation into the death of Sabu (56), who was found hanging outside the CPI(M)-controlled Rural Development Cooperative Society Bank in December 2024, officials said.

Sabu, a gift and fancy goods shop owner in Kattappana, had deposited his savings in the bank.

According to his family, when he approached the bank to withdraw the money for his wife's medical treatment, his request was refused.

He allegedly left behind a suicide note accusing three bank employees of denying him access to his money.

His death put the CPI(M) in a difficult position after the bereaved family alleged that a local party leader had verbally abused and threatened Sabu before his death.

A Special Investigation Team (SIT) was subsequently constituted, and three bank officials were arraigned as accused in the case.

However, following the change of government, Sabu's family recently approached state Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala, alleging that the investigation was not proceeding in the right direction.

Police officials said the Home Department has now directed the Crime Branch unit in Idukki to take over the probe after re-registering the FIR.

The process of handing over the investigation will begin soon and the Crime Branch is expected to file a report before the jurisdictional court after formally taking over the case, officials added.